title: Evaluating the role of IL-12 based therapies in ovarian cancer: a review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunotherapy, in its entirety, represents a promising field at the forefront of cancer. Treatment with potent cytokine IL-12 has provided science with many challenges, but has also demonstrated promise as therapeutic strategy in ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review examines the anti-tumor mechanism of action of IL-12 and the development of IL-12 as a potential therapeutic option in a variety of malignancies. It also reviews the immunogenicity of ovarian cancer and covers preclinical and clinical trials that have contributed to the advancement of IL-12 as a potential therapy for ovarian malignancy. The obstacles that researchers have overcome and currently face regarding the use of IL-12 in clinical ovarian cancer trials are also discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-12, as a therapeutic modality, is mechanistically logical and shows great promise in preclinical trials. Further clinical studies are warranted to optimize the potential of IL-12 as a treatment strategy for ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1700 6th Ave South, 10th Floor Suite 10100, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
authors.forename: Jenny M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Whitworth
authors.forename: Ronald D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D018664:Interleukin-12